In the last few weeks, I can proudly say that many objects have left my house—all through donation. Having decided early on that I was not interested in starting another business selling my possessions, I have limited my consigning and am holding off on investigating who might like to purchase some of my more valuable belongings. In the past, I have sold a few vinyl records, some jewelry, mid-century modern furniture, and a large amount of vintage clothing. Other possible sale items include artwork, older books, coins and stamps), musical instruments in good condition, rugs, and antiques and collectibles. But as I have said before, most of your stuff is not worth as much as you think it might be.
Donating is a particularly satisfying way to part with things. It’s generally quick, doesn’t require any great knowledge or expertise, doesn’t involve haggling, and allows the person doing the donating to feel like they are helping another person or a cause. You may be helping to create jobs. Depending on how you do your taxes, you may be able to claim a deduction for some of your donations. There are many ways to donate, each with its pros and cons.
Family, friends, and friends of friends: While going through old books, I found a several embroidery magazines dating from the 1930s. I did a quick check to see whether these might have value, and when I determined they didn’t have much, I gave them to my friend whose avocation is embroidery. She was thrilled to have them. A few weeks ago, another friend asked if we had items we could donate to someone who had worked for her household and had just found an apartment after being homeless. I rounded up my parents’ flatware and other kitchen implements, some linens, some glasses, and a couple of random pieces of furniture, which my friend collected.
Pros: It’s nice to know who your things are going to, whether you choose to gift them or are asked to. And being asked is a spur to rounding up unwanted or unused items.
Cons: Sometimes it’s hard to say “no” to requests. And when giving to friends, you need to be sure it is something they will value—they may be gracious and accept your offer without really wanting it. Probably no tax deductions for these transactions.
Large general charities or thrift shops: These include, but are not limited to, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Epilepsy Foundation, and Savers (a for profit organization affiliated with a charitable organization) as well as your local thrift shop (often run by a local organization).
Pros: These provide one-stop donation, and some will even pick up, allowing you to save even more time. You can get a lot out the door at one time. Our local Big Brothers Big Sisters contacts me once a month for an in-house pickup, pushing me to see what I might have to give. A possible tax deduction. Your items will often sell at bargain prices compared to new.
Cons: Not all these organizations will take all kinds of items, so it is important to visit their websites and follow their instructions. Most will generally not accept things like stuffed toys, pillows, or mattresses. You don’t know what will happen to the items you donate—will they be bought or recycled, or will they go in a landfill?
Organizations with a specific target population, such as the homeless, low-income job seekers, children: These organizations can be large or small. Their requests are usually focused: e.g., household goods, clothes suitable for interviews, children’s items.
Pros: In general, your donation of goods are likely to be used by someone who genuinely needs them. You can feel like you’ve helped move someone’s life forward. Also, a possible tax deduction.
Cons: These organizations can be particular about what they accept, including the condition. Clothing for those seeking jobs should not look too outdated, for example.
Organizations with a focused product line: We always donate our books to More than Words, a Boston-based organization that uses the book business as a way of teaching young people a set of job-related skills. Two other organizations like this are Bikes not Bombs in Boston (bikes) and Habitat for Humanity (furniture, building supplies, household goods).
Pros: Staff at these kinds of places have specific knowledge how to use the items you donate. They may offer a home for items that general charities won’t take. They also often provide job or learning opportunities for those who work there.
Cons: You can donate only what the organization specifies, thus needing to visit several different organizations for your donations.
Freecycle or similar: This one is my FAVORITE. And it’s ideal for the slow downsizer. Our local one is called “Trash Nothing.” You create an account, you post your item with photos and a brief description, people who want it will contact you via email (through the site, not your personal email), and you choose the person you will “gift” it to and provide them with the place of pickup. In the past month I have “gifted” more than a dozen items, including a variety of vintage and new toys, some champagne glasses, seasonal sheet music and songbooks, a large piece of memory foam, a clothes rack, and a sewing machine (that needed some work). The only thing no one wanted was a vintage animal tail stole! I took advantage of the holiday season to include obvious gift type items as well as seasonal items. Sometimes you may receive a lot of requests, and then you need to decide who will be the lucky recipient. I used to give my item to the first one to respond, but more recently, I evaluate the responses for their level of interest and their ability to pick it up quickly.
Pros: The items are going to specific people who want them, and they are often very appreciative. There is no middle person. You can donate things that other places won’t accept, like stuffed animals and cushions, or collections (like shells, greeting card covers). People can pick the items up at their convenience without personal contact with you (other than through your messages). I use porch pick-up.
Cons: Once you post, you do need to check your email regularly. If you choose to be polite and respond to all the requests on top of the one you are donating to, it can take a little time. People sometimes don’t show up when they say they will or indicate an initial interest without follow-up, but I have found this behavior to be rare. I have made it a rule that they must pick it up on my porch; I will not meet them somewhere or deliver the item. I’m sure some people are taking the item for re-sale, but I don’t mind. If they want to be enterprising, more power to them. Depending on where you live, it is possible that an item left out might be taken by someone else, especially if you don’t have a more secluded area, like a porch. But I have yet to have this happen. Not everything will go, but after a while you will learn what people like.
So, however you decide to donate, be generous with the things that once served you or gave you pleasure or which you never used. Spark joy in someone else’s life or meet their basic needs without needing to be renumerated. Let the holiday spirit move you all year round. Plus, donating is the easiest way to see your pile of possessions shrink.